Algerian Authorities Crack Down on Drug Trafficking and Road Safety

Algerian authorities have intensified their efforts to combat drug trafficking and promote road safety, with significant results reported in 2026. According to the Minister of Justice, Lotfi Boudjemaa, over 25,000 people were arrested in the first ten months of the year, and more than 36 million pregabalin pills were seized in just six months. These statistics were presented at a national colloquium on the effects of drug consumption on road safety, held in Algiers.

The colloquium, presided over by Minister Boudjemaa and General-Major Ali Sidane, Commander of the National Gendarmerie, aimed to address the growing concern of drug-related road accidents. The minister emphasized that the Algerian government has adopted a comprehensive national strategy to prevent drug trafficking and consumption, which includes a coordinated approach to tackle the root causes of the problem. This strategy, which runs from 2025 to 2029, focuses on eradicating drug trafficking networks and their sources of financing.

The Minister of Justice highlighted the severity of the issue, stating that drug trafficking and consumption pose a significant threat to national security and stability. He called for a unified national vision to combat this phenomenon, emphasizing the need for coordination and cooperation among different sectors. Boudjemaa also stressed that the success of this approach depends on the continuity of efforts and their translation into concrete actions on the ground.

The General-Major Ali Sidane reported that the National Gendarmerie has achieved significant results in its fight against drug trafficking. In the first ten months of 2026, the gendarmerie arrested 25,218 people, including 5,264 who were detained. The operations also led to the dismantling of 186 specialized drug trafficking networks. The seizures included nearly 11 tons of treated kif, 372.837 kilograms of cocaine, and 13,665,710 pregabalin pills.

The Director-General of the National Office for the Fight Against Drugs and Drug Addiction, Tarek Kour, presented the national balance sheet for the first half of 2026, highlighting the large quantities of substances intercepted. The data shows that the authorities have made significant seizures, including over a ton of cocaine. These results demonstrate the extent of the activities of trafficking networks and the challenges faced by security services.

To combat drug-related road accidents, the Minister of Justice recalled that the construction of a solid legal framework is one of the key responses of the state. The law provides for stricter penalties for drivers who commit accidents under the influence of drugs or psychotropic substances. Boudjemaa emphasized that road safety has become a public security issue and a shared societal responsibility, requiring greater mobilization from public authorities.

The authorities have strengthened the coordination between concerned sectors, intensified awareness and prevention campaigns, and developed monitoring and follow-up mechanisms. The minister concluded that the national strategy against drugs and psychotropic substances must become a daily practice on the ground, supported by permanent institutional commitment and a social culture that rejects this scourge.

Key points

• Over 25,000 people arrested in the first ten months of 2026 for drug-related offenses
• More than 36 million pregabalin pills seized in six months
• Algerian authorities adopt a comprehensive national strategy to prevent drug trafficking and consumption